The start of Labour Day weekend at Batavia Downs Casino featured four NY County Fair finals for two and three-year-old pacers and trotters, worth $8,000 each
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The three-year-old pacers kicked off the fair finals in Race 2. This one saw Emmas Lily (Artiscape-Sweet Rosa Belle) with trainer-driver Truman Gale upset favoured Its Only Roni with Jack Flanigen in 2:00. Charlesinazone was right there in third. Emmas Lily, who won for the eighth time in 26 outings this season, is owned by Stephanie and Brian Cassell of Gloucester, ON.
The win machine, Vagra (Dream Vacation-Agra), notched his 13th win of the season in 16 starts when he trotted to a 4-1/2 length score in 2:03. The veteran Doug Ackley trains and drives the talented three-year-old trotter. EJs Dream Kat (Jack Flanigen), who was the early leader, held on for second over Here Comes Doodles (Kevin Cummings). Doug and Tyra Joanne Ackley of Gowanda, New York owns and bred the colt.
Heavily favoured Lofty Dreams did not disappoint in the two-year-old trot when he went on to a much the best 8-1/2 length win in 2:05.1. Jack Flanigen put the Dream Vacation-Dusty Girl colt on the lead for owner-trainer Steve Pratt and they never had an anxious moment. The win was Lofty Dream's eighth in 15 freshman starts. Iroquoindianspring with Kirk Desmond got second over Love And Peace with Mark Whitcroft.
Last, but not least, former Batavia Downs regular Dave Fisher guided Surf Cast Michelle to a head victory over Totally Determined and Leon Bailey in 2:02.3 in the two-year-old pace. Fisher brushed the Quality Of Life-Surf Cast Paradise filly to the front at the half and that proved to be the winning move. Surf Cast Michelle is now five for seven lifetime for owner-breeder John Prescott of Vernon, New York.
Queen Creek got Pick-6 players off on the right foot, when she went gate-to-wire in the $9,000 Preferred Trot. Starting from post position two, Queen Creek assumed command when the gate opened and under strong Ron Beback, Jr. urging was able to hold off the pocket sitting Kash N Credit (Troy Boring) in 1:59.2.
Thanks to six straight winning chalks the Pick-6 was hit. Five winning ticket holders took home $268 each. The Pick-6 pool will be guaranteed at $1,000 on Saturday night.
New York Sire Stakes action continues on Saturday night when the glamour division, the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, race for almost $150,000 in purses. Post time is 6:40 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)